I am new to the hobby and at the point where I would like to start adding some plaster of some sort to give my layout some rolling hills and river banks,etc. I have looked at different products at stores and shops and I was was wondering what is the best product to use. The woodland scenics stuff seemed to be very costly(about 9.00 for a 1/2 gal). Has anyone tried plaster of paris, it was about 1/4 the price. I do not want to cut corners and regret it later,but also, do not want to spend a mint if I don’t have to. Thanks
I found that plaster of paris works well because I like to sculpt my rock castings to make them unique and a got a 40 pound bag for 10$.
There are alot of diffrent options. Plaster of paris applied to newspaper strips works well,or dental plaster works but sets VERY fast. some have had success with drywall mud but it takes a day or 2 to set.
check with some of your local modelers or clubs,they should be able to help with most things or pickup “how to build realistic model railroad scenery” by Dave Frary
Devin www.trainswinnipeg.com
I can relate to your concern about prices. I have had good results with typical “hardware store” plaster that I buy in 5-gal pails. The trick here is to just mix small batches at a time. Enough to do about 1-2 square feet of area at a time. Be sure to wet the mating surface of the “set” plaster so the new plaster will bond.
Good luck, Todd C.
Your right, the Woodland Scenics stuff is very costly, your best bet for Hydrocal is to find it at a bulk dealer, they will sell you a bag at anything from 25-100 pounds, depending on what the dealer carries, I found the stuff I used for my manufacturing of model railroad details and loads at a bulk arts and crafts supply dealer in Austin, some areas you will find it at the local hardware store, and others you will find it at Home Depot, it just depends, the hydrocal that Woodland Scenics sells in their little 1/2 gallon milk cartons was repackaged at Woodland Scenics, they got theirs from US Gypsum also, Plaster of Paris stays too soft, not wet soft mind you, but soft and isn’t very durable, look for hydrocal, you could look at your local hobby shop, but he most likely carries the Woodland Scenics…:o)
Your right, the Woodland Scenics stuff is very costly, your best bet for Hydrocal is to find it at a bulk dealer, they will sell you a bag at anything from 25-100 pounds, depending on what the dealer carries, I found the stuff I used for my manufacturing of model railroad details and loads at a bulk arts and crafts supply dealer in Austin, some areas you will find it at the local hardware store, and others you will find it at Home Depot, it just depends, the hydrocal that Woodland Scenics sells in their little 1/2 gallon milk cartons was repackaged at Woodland Scenics, they got theirs from US Gypsum also, Plaster of Paris stays too soft, not wet soft mind you, but soft and isn’t very durable, look for hydrocal, you could look at your local hobby shop, but he most likely carries the Woodland Scenics…:o)